Best Dreadnought Guitars With Sapele Sides in 2024

Here are the top Dreadnought style guitars with Sapele sides. It's similar to Mahogany in both color and tone. It can produce warm tones, and it's known for its beautiful figured grain patterns.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

1. Takamine CRN-TS1

Compare
Takamine CRN-TS1
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 80
Sound 86
Build quality 82
Value for money 83
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • From Takamine's 2019 TT series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.8"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Thermal Spruce top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ovangkol fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2019 TT series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.8"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Thermal Spruce top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ovangkol fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine CRN-TS1
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

2. Taylor AD27e

Compare
Taylor AD27e
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 82
Value for money 76
Overall Score 81

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (8 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (8 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (7 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (6 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • From Taylor's 2020 The American Dream series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Tropical Mahogany top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Solid Sapele sides
  • Tropical Mahogany neck
  • Eucalyptus fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
  • Eucalyptus bridge
  • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Taylor Nickel tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Taylor's 2020 The American Dream series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Tropical Mahogany top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Solid Sapele sides
  • Tropical Mahogany neck
  • Eucalyptus fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
  • Eucalyptus bridge
  • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Taylor Nickel tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor AD27e
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Electronics
  • Synthetic Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

3. Martin D-12E

Compare
Martin D-12E
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logoReverb logo
Playability 73
Sound 86
Build quality 76
Value for money 78
Overall Score 78

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (3 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logoReverb logo
  • From Martin's 2019 Road series
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Solid Sapele sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • FSC Certified Richlite fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman MX-T (Preamp/Active)
  • FSC Certified Richlite bridge
  • Acoustic Performing Artist Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Nickel Open Gear tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Martin's 2019 Road series
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Solid Sapele sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • FSC Certified Richlite fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman MX-T (Preamp/Active)
  • FSC Certified Richlite bridge
  • Acoustic Performing Artist Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Nickel Open Gear tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin D-12E
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Mexico
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • Low-Quality Material Saddle
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

4. Ibanez AAD50CE

Compare
Ibanez AAD50CE
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logoReverb logo
Playability 73
Sound 83
Build quality 64
Value for money 83
Overall Score 73
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logoReverb logo
  • From Ibanez's 2021 Advanced Acoustic series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Okoume neck
  • Purpleheart fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez T-bar Undersaddle (Preamp/Active)
  • Purpleheart bridge
  • Acoustic AAD Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Ibanez's 2021 Advanced Acoustic series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Okoume neck
  • Purpleheart fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez T-bar Undersaddle (Preamp/Active)
  • Purpleheart bridge
  • Acoustic AAD Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AAD50CE
  • Electronics
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • Low-Quality Material Saddle
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

5. Harley Benton CLD-10SCE BK

Compare
Harley Benton CLD-10SCE BK
FIND IT ON:
Thomann logo
Playability 73
Sound 80
Build quality 64
Value for money 82
Overall Score 72
FIND IT ON:
Thomann logo
  • From Harley Benton's 2020 Custom Line series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Okoume neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys-II preamp with built-in tuner (Preamp/Active)
  • Pau Ferro bridge
  • Acoustic C Shape Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome-plated die-cast machine heads tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Harley Benton's 2020 Custom Line series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Okoume neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys-II preamp with built-in tuner (Preamp/Active)
  • Pau Ferro bridge
  • Acoustic C Shape Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome-plated die-cast machine heads tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton CLD-10SCE BK
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • Low-Quality Material Saddle
  • Laminated Top Wood
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

6. Takamine P4DC

Compare
Takamine P4DC
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 86
Build quality 84
Value for money 77
Overall Score 82

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Won't get out of tune (1 vote)
  • Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Takamine's 2013 Pro Series 4 series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine Gold tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2013 Pro Series 4 series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine Gold tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine P4DC
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

7. Takamine P3DC-12

Compare
Takamine P3DC-12
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 86
Build quality 84
Value for money 77
Overall Score 82

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Takamine's 2017 Pro Series 3 series
  • Made in Japan
  • 12 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine Gold tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2017 Pro Series 3 series
  • Made in Japan
  • 12 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine Gold tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine P3DC-12
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

8. Takamine P3D

Compare
Takamine P3D
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 86
Build quality 84
Value for money 77
Overall Score 82

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logo
  • From Takamine's 2015 Pro Series 3 series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine Gold tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2015 Pro Series 3 series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine Gold tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine P3D
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

9. Takamine P3DC

Compare
Takamine P3DC
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 86
Build quality 84
Value for money 77
Overall Score 82

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Takamine's 2019 Pro Series 3 series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine Gold tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2019 Pro Series 3 series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine Gold tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine P3DC
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

10. Taylor 317e

Compare
Taylor 317e
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 86
Build quality 80
Value for money 70
Overall Score 80

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (8 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (8 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (7 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (6 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • From Taylor's 2019 300 series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Solid Sapele sides
  • Tropical Mahogany neck
  • West African Crelicam Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
  • West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Taylor Nickel tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Taylor's 2019 300 series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Solid Sapele sides
  • Tropical Mahogany neck
  • West African Crelicam Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
  • West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Taylor Nickel tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor 317e
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Electronics
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • Low-Quality Material Saddle
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

Filter ResultsClear all filters×
Price
  • General
    Brand
    Country of Origin
    For Hand Size
    Great for
    Handedness
    Max Weight
    • Type desired range in pounds (lbs):
    String Material
    Strings
    Body
    Back Wood
    Body Finish
    Body Shape
    Body Type
    Top Wood
    Comfortability
    Decorative Top
      Saddle Material
      Sides Wood
      Neck
      Custom 12th Fret Inlay
      Fret Material
        Fret Size
        Fretboard Radius
        Fretboard Wood
        Headstock
        Inlay Material
        Inlay Position
        Inlay Shape
        Luminescent Sidedots
          Neck Joint
          Neck Profile
          Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
          • Type desired range in inches:
          Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
          • Type desired range in inches:
          Neck Wood
          Number of Frets
          Nut Material
          Nut Width
          Playstyle
          Scale Length
          Electronics
          Bridge Pickups Brand
          Neck Pickups Brand
            Pickup Mods
              Pickups Power
              Hardware
              Hardware Color
              Strap Lock
                Tuners Type
                  By Score
                  Build Quality Score
                    Build Quality Score
                  • Type desired score
                  Features Score
                    Features Score
                  • Type desired score
                  Material Quality Score
                    Material Quality Score
                  • Type desired score
                  Pickups Quality Score
                    Pickups Quality Score
                  • Type desired score
                  Playability Score
                    Playability Score
                  • Type desired score
                  Quality Control Score
                    Quality Control Score
                  • Type desired score
                  Sound Score
                    Sound Score
                  • Type desired score
                  Value for Money Score
                    Value for Money Score
                  • Type desired score
                  Versatility Score
                    Versatility Score
                  • Type desired score